IBM and Columbia University recently announced two new accelerator programs that are aimed at building and scaling the next era of blockchain innovation. The accelerator programs, vital facets of the Columbia-IBM Center for Blockchain and Data Transparency, will empower blockchain network founders and entrepreneurs across the globe with access to the resources as well as expertise they [...]

A new collaborative venture between Northwestern University and Tel Aviv University brings together researchers and students in the field of nanotechnology through joint research and development projects, student exchange programs and research grants. Under the new partnership, two researchers from each university will receive post-doctoral fellowships supporting two years of research at the partner institution. [...]

The Chicago-based Boeing Company — known worldwide for designing, making, and selling airplanes, rockets, and missiles — has committed $6 million to Iowa State University in hopes of enhancing the educational experience for its students, especially those eyeing engineering paths. A large chunk of the Boeing gift will support construction of Iowa State’s evolving Student [...]

Israeli and Polish organizations have signed a 10-month innovation plan, supported by the Israeli government and the Polish Ministry of Technology and Entrepreneurship, which will see large corporations share their innovation needs and challenges with startups and individual entrepreneurs from both countries. The goal is to identify solutions to those challenges, forming startups around them, [...]

Bloomfield health insurer Cigna announced Wednesday it has committed $250 million to a corporate venture fund meant to spur healthcare startup growth. Named Cigna Ventures, the fund is aimed at investing in new, innovative healthcare companies focused on improving care quality, affordability, choice and more. Cigna said it will use the venture fund to identify early stage [...]

Lockheed Martin’s venture capital arm focused on emerging technologies has made its first investment outside the United States in Main Sequence Ventures, itself another emerging technology investment fund that is just a year old. Australia-based Main Sequence Ventures said Wednesday it closed an almost $232 million fund with Lockheed Martin Ventures among several backers that [...]

A new partnership between TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) and the University of Chicago's Polsky Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will take startups to the next level with the use of cutting-edge data assets. The program supports entrepreneurial innovation and provides University of Chicago students with access to TransUnion's Startup Credit Kit, a suite of innovative solutions to support [...]

Foxconn Technology Group continues to make its presence felt in the Wisconsin business community. The latest move: The Taiwanese contract manufacturer is forming a $100 million early-stage venture capital fund with three of the Badger State’s leading companies and organizations. Advocate Aurora Health, Northwestern Mutual, Johnson Controls, and Foxconn will each contribute $25 million to the fund, [...]

Johnson & Johnson is using a network of incubators in 11 cities to position itself as an innovative brand in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and in the consumer products area. For a company like Johnson & Johnson, finding talent with expertise in technologies like data analytics, blockchain and connected devices is a big concern. As new [...]